The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has issued a directive to the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to utilize the forex closing rate on the date of the form M submission by importers for the clearance of goods and import duty assessment.
This measure aims to tackle the volatility and frequent updates on the customs website concerning the liberalization of the forex market.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Hassan Mahmud, saying the regular changes in the customs duties rate have disrupted the pricing structure leading to irregular increase in the final cost of goods in the market.
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The CBN said, “to this effect, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to advise the Nigeria Customs Service and other related parties to adopt the FX rate on the date of opening the Form M for importation of goods, as the FX rate to be used for import duty assessment.
“This rate remains valid until the date of termination of the importation and clearance of goods by the importers.
“This would enable the Nigeria Customs Service and the importers to effectively plan appropriately and reduce uncertainties around varying exchange rates in determining revenue, or cost structure respectively.
“Therefore, effective 26th February 2024, the closing rate on the date of opening of Form M for importation of goods and services would be the rate that would apply for assessment of goods and services. This supersedes the requirement of Memorandum 9, J (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Foreign Exchange Manual (Revised Edition) 2018.”
